Chamorro Festival celebrates culture, language, and ancestors

The Chamorro Cultural Festival returned for its 13th year in Oceanside, California, focusing on honoring ancestors and preserving the CHamoru language and culture. The festival took place at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Many attendees were CHamoru individuals who had emigrated from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Organized by the nonprofit CHE’LU San Diego, the event featured traditional dance and song performances, authentic food, arts and crafts, and CHamoru language lessons. These activities aimed to help people reconnect with their roots and share CHamoru traditions with those outside the culture. A community leader noted that there are more CHamorus living on the mainland than in their homelands, highlighting the importance of cultural connection. During the festival, language scholar Miget Bevacqua conducted workshops to help people learn the CHamoru language, which is at risk of disappearing. The language was banned by the U.S. Navy in Guam in 1917, leading to a significant decline in speakers. Bevacqua pointed out that only about 20% of CHamorus speak the language today. Attendees like Kaelene Fejeran expressed their appreciation for the chance to learn and connect with their heritage. She shared that although she moved to the mainland when she was seven, participating in the festival made her feel closer to her cultural roots. Additionally, San Diego city leaders recently proclaimed March 3 as Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day, underscoring the community's contributions to the region.